Over 400 Personal Assistants are calling for their first pay rise in 14 years.
Over 400 Personal Assistants working for the Irish Wheelchair Association are on strike today, in a dispute over pay.
Today's industrial action is part of wider campaign across the care and community sector, which is set to see further strike action in the coming weeks.
The IWA operates a centre in Clonmore in Offaly; St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar; and St. Fintan's Hospital in Portlaoise.
SIPTU's Adrian Kane says the IWA personal assistants are seeking their first pay rise in 14 years:
SIPTU members employed by the Irish Wheelchair Association have voted 97% to 3% to conduct a work stoppage on 5th July, at its care centres across the country in a pay dispute in which they are demanding their first wage rise for 14 years.
— SIPTU (@SIPTU) June 27, 2022
Read more 👉 https://t.co/PNJL9CpRzK pic.twitter.com/8e8T64EgDx
The government is being urged to engage with unions representing the care and community sector, or face further industrial action in September.
SIPTU is warning that their pay rates are so poor staff are looking for work elsewhere.
Mr. Kane says today's one day strike is just the start of a wider campaign:
Psychiatric Prisoner Numbers Hit Crisis Point - Former Assistant Governor Portlaoise Prison
Midlands Local Authority Submits Plans To Extend Living City Initiative
Laois Commuters Spend Up To Two Hours A Day Travelling To Work
"Clarity, Honesty And Fairness Must Come Before Profits" - Midlands MEP
Rent Increases Hit Westmeath Council Tenants
NUJ Warn Oireachtas AI Threatening Journalism
Midlands Tourism Businesses Awarded For Excellence
Man Accused Of Murder In 5 Star Laois Hotel Pleads Not Guilty
Time To Move On From Bord Bia Bickering - Midlands MEP
Three Midlands Schools In Line For New Special Classes
Two Men Hospitalised Following Midlands Assault
Midlands Wind Farm Opponents Face ‘Uphill Battle’
Laois Councillor Wants Clarity On NDP
"If You Build On A Floodplain, I Won't Protect You" - OPW Minister
Gardaà Investigate Laois Burglary
"The Right Action In The Wrong Location" - Action Group Campaigning Against Midlands Windfarm
Deadline For Observations on Westmeath Community Centre Tomorrow
Laois County Council Launch Youth Theatre Pilot Proposals
OPW Minister To Visit Waterford In March After Flooding
Epilepsy Day Highlighting Condition Prevalence In The Midlands